Beckham hugs five-year-old fan Huddy and walks him out as Inter Miami mascot

David Beckham embraced five-year-old Inter Miami fan Huddy, who has Down’s syndrome, during a visit to Miami Freedom Park on Wednesday, ahead of the club’s MLS fixture against Cincinnati.

Footage shared by Huddy’s mother, influencer Melanie Droubay, shows the youngster — dressed in an Inter Miami shirt — sprinting toward the 50-year-old co-owner, who met him with an enthusiastic high-five before pulling him into a hug. Beckham then took Huddy by the hand and guided him through the locker room, including a stop at the chair belonging to Lionel Messi, who is contracted with the club until the end of 2028.

Huddy’s day extended well beyond the locker room. He walked out onto the pitch alongside Messi before kick-off, and later joined Beckham for a run on the field, both wearing Miami shirts bearing the number 23 — the squad number Beckham wore during his time at Real Madrid.

Droubay described the experience in emotional terms on Instagram. “I have no words. Just tears in my eyes,” she wrote. “Watching Huddy meet Mr. David in person was everything I could have dreamed of and more. He was a little shy at first but quickly warmed up with a high five and a hug and after that, they were best buddies. So grateful for David Beckham and his team for making this all possible.”

Beckham also posted about the meeting, writing: “Tonight was a night to remember for us all in Miami. We had a very special guest come and visit us with the biggest smile and the warmest heart. Thank you to Huddy’s Mom, dad and brothers for sharing these special moments with us. Mr David was very happy.”

The match itself ended in a draw, though the result appeared secondary to the occasion for the Droubay family.